Rail-joint.



G. H. RUSSELL.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FlLED JUNE 28. ms.

5 1 0d 1 9 1 -U G 0 d e t H Du T Witnesses Attorneys ononen H. nussnrm, or FLORENCE, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO PEY'ION NORVELL, or FLORENCE, ALABAMA.

RAIL-JOINT.

1,157.,ti4tt1.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. 1'51, 1915.

Application filed June 28, 1915. Serial No. 36,804;

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. RussnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Florence, in the county of Lauderdale and State of Alabama, have invented a new and useful Rail-Joint, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to rail joints, and aims to provide a novel and im proved means for joining or connecting the ends of the rails without the assistance of the usual bolts, and whereby the rail ends are firmly held in place without danger of loosening, although the parts of the joint may be readily assembled and separated when necessary.

It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a rail joint having the features above noted, which is also simple, nonencumbering and inexpensive in construction, as well as being practical, durable and efiicient in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a-plan view of the joint. Figs. 2 and 3 are cross sectional views on the lines 22 and 3-3 respectively, of Fig. 1.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided a rectangular tie plate 1 construct ed of suitable metal and having its ends resting upon a pair of the cross ties T. This tie plate 1 is provided along its side edges with upturned longitudinal lips or ribs 2.

Disposed upon the tie plate 1 is a rail chair, comprising two. parallel longitudinal side sections 3 at the opposite sides of the rails R. The sections 3 seat upon the plate 1 and the remote edges of said sections rest against the lips 2 to limit the separation of the sections 3.

upon the flanges 4. The sections 3 also have angle portions 5 fitting against the opposite sides of the rails R and Said sections have lower flanges 4 pro ecting toward one another, and the base flanges of the rails R are seated sides of the webs of the rails between the base flanges and treads or heads of the rails to brace and hold the rails in place.

The tie plate 1 and the chair sections 3 are provided with alining apertures 6 and 7, respectively, above the ties at the opposite spikes or securing element 8 are passed downwardly through said apertures and are driven into the ties for holding the tie plate and chair in place upon the ties. The tie plate 1 is provided with two pairs of slots or openings 9 between the ties and located adjacent the ad- ]acent sides of the ties, and the chair sections 3 are provided with openings or slots 10 above and registering with the slots 9. A pair of U-shaped yokes or clevises 11 have their intermediate portions 12 disposed transversely and bearing against the bottom side of the tie plate 1 between the slots 9, and the yokes 11 have upwardly diverging or inclined arms 13 projecting through the slots 9 and 10 and bearing against the inclined or upwardly diverging adjacent walls l lof the slots 10. The arms 13 have terminal loops or eyes 15 projecting upwardly out of the slots 10, and the loops 15 as well as the remaining portions of the yokes 11 lie in verticalplanes disposed at right angles with and transversely of the joint.

Bendable taper pins or keys l6v are driven through the loops 15 and seat upon the chair sections 3, and the smaller terminals of said keys are bent angularly to one side, as clearly seen in Fig. 1, to hold said keys in placeafter they are driven home.

In assembling the parts, when the tie plate 1 the chair sections 3 and rails R are assembled in an obvious manner, the yokes.

12 are passed upwardly through the slots 9 and 10, and the keys 16 are then driven through the loops 15 until the plate 1 and the sections 3 are clamped tightly together for holding the rails firm upon the plate. The smaller terminals of the keys 16 are then bent angularly to prevent an accidental detachment or displacement of the keys. The joint is thus rendered substantial and the adjacent ends of the rails R which are received by the chair will be upheld in a thoroughly practical and desirable manner, to withstand the hammering and strains to which they are subjected. The yokes 11 may be disposed between the ties to assist in preventing the displacement of the joint, especially if the yokes 11 bear against the adjacent sides of the ties which is desirable.

To remove the rails, it is only necessary to straighten out the keys 16, whereby they may be withdrawn, and this allows the yokes 11 to drop for liberating the chair sections 3.

The present invention eliminates the use of the ordinary bolts used in rail joints, but nevertheless, the oint is substantial and effective, and even more so. With the present joint, there are no parts to loosen, as with the use of the bolts, and the several parts of the joint may be readily and inexpensively manufactured.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:-

A rail joint embodying a tie plate having upturned lips along its side edges, a pair of chair sections seating upon said plate and having their remote edges engaging said lips, said sections having lower flanges upon which the base flanges of the rails are seatable, and said sections also having portions engageable with the webs of the rails, the tie plates and sections having registering openings, transverse U-shaped yokes having intermediate portions lying against the bottom of said plate and having their arms projectin upwardly through said openings and provi ed with loops, and taper keys engaged through said loops and seating upon said sections.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE H. RUSSELL.

Witnesses:

A. A. WILLIAMS, J. C. SMITH. 

